SynCo Bio Partners B.V., a GMP biopharmaceutical manufacturer, has expanded its current agreement with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells. Under the expanded agreement, in addition to antibody OMP-21M18, SynCo will fill batches of OncoMed’s investigational products, two additional antibodies in the OncoMed pipeline for use in Phase I and II clinical trials.

Announcing the agreement, Pierre Warffemius, CEO, said, “We are extremely delighted that OncoMed and SynCo’s working relationship continues to strengthen and that SynCo has been able to support this leading biopharmaceutical company’s clinical development effectively over the last two years. We look forward to a continued mutually beneficial collaboration.”

Paul J. Hastings, President and CEO of OncoMed, said, “We are delighted to be working with SynCo on the manufacture of our novel antibodies targeting cancer stem cells. SynCo has been a great partner and has delivered excellent performance on our anti-DLL4 antibody, OMP-21M18, which is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Based on our positive experience working with them to date, we can think of no one more qualified than SynCo to continue providing filling operations.”

SynCo will fill the OncoMed antibodies at its Amsterdam-based facility. This facility is able to fill a wide range of biopharmaceuticals into vials, including protein, polysaccharide, and live biotherapeutics using the latest automated filling equipment.